With hundreds of careers and opportunities, the filmmaking industry can be a unique experience for a filmmaker. Options include pitching an idea, or a commission through screenwriting, casting, shooting, editing, and screening your project. Filmtools decided to take a deeper look into the world of a Filmmaker. This week, we had the opportunity to speak to Filmmaker Federico Verardi about his work. This is what he said:
Where are you from?
Federico Verardi: I’m from a small town in Italy called Montevarchi located in Tuscany.
How did you get interested in Filmmaking?
Federico Verardi: I started shooting little videos for my dad’s company early on during my summers in high school and fell in love with the process of telling stories with images and sound. The technology fascinated me; I thought editing with 2 VCR’s and VHS tapes was the greatest thing in the world.
What inspires you?
Federico Verardi: Telling stories that move people and question them to change in better ways.
What is your role typically on set?
Federico Verardi: Director of Photography and/or camera operator
How did you break into this industry?
Federico Verardi: I started off as an editor in a small TV station in Miami Beach and pretty soon realized I needed to be on set. I quit that job to join the camera department. My first job was as a loader on a low budget 16mm feature. The 1st AC was great and I learned a whole lot on that. It was a pretty stressful gig having to handle film with no experience, but everything went well and I was very grateful for the opportunity. I gradually started to step up to 1st AC on smaller stuff. I felt Miami didn’t have enough opportunities for me at the time so I decided to go to LA where I had to start from scratch of course. After AC’ing for a few more years I joined the union as an operator and started working more and more.
You walk onto set, what three items do you bring with you?
Federico Verardi: Light Meter, Letherman, and a flash light (never know when you’ll need that flare!).
Federico Verardi: I usually will go to the location and rework all the logistics in my mind for lighting, camera movement, and coverage.
How do you balance your work with life?
Federico Verardi: My life is my work. It revolves around it. I don’t have a family, just me and my dog, so that makes it a little easier.
How important is networking in this field? How do you go out and find these people?
Federico Verardi: I would say very important. One area I certainly need to improve on. For me it’s usually been word of mouth mostly, but going to networking events and parties is a huge part of this business, after all we all want to work with people that not only are talented but that we like.
What advice do you give to people working in this industry?
Federico Verardi: Be humble, work hard, and know when to give your opinion. It’s easy to give up in this field; it’s very challenging. Be patient, work hard, and hang with the right people, it will eventually work itself out.
How do you deal with challenges on set?
Federico Verardi: It depends on the challenge. Generally speaking keeping calm is the first rule. Stressing out doesn’t help anyone. Problems will arise and dealing with them just becomes part of the routine. Challenges are the best teachers.
Do you have a piece of essential gear that you don’t leave without?
Federico Verardi: As simple as it sounds my shoulder pad. (I did buy it at Filmtools). I find myself doing handheld a lot these days and want to be sure to have my own pad to keep my operating consistent. Even something that small can make a difference in my operating.
Where can people follow you on social, or check out your work?
Federico Verardi: Facebook: Federico Verardi, Instagram: @fedeverardi,
website: https://www.federicoverardi.com/
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